Wings Chess
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Chess rules · beginner

How the King Moves

The king moves one square in any direction. Slow, but the most important piece.

Last updated

touch_appLearn it by doing: read the short explanation, then play it on the board.

Quick answer

The king moves one square in any direction: forwards, backwards, sideways or diagonally. It can never move onto a square attacked by an enemy piece, so two kings can never stand next to each other. It captures like it moves. If the king is attacked and can't escape, it's checkmate and the game is over.

Step by step

The king moves just one square in any direction. If your king is trapped and attacked (checkmate), you lose the game, so keep him safe!

Common mistakes

  • Moving the king next to the enemy king: that square is attacked, so the move is illegal.
  • Walking the king into the middle early in the game. Castle and keep it safe until the endgame.
  • Forgetting the king in the endgame. With fewer pieces, it becomes a strong attacking piece.

Tips from the lesson

  • One step at a time, diagonals are allowed.

Where you'll use this

Discovered Checkarrow_forwardA discovered check is a discovered attack where the uncovered piece gives check.Double Checkarrow_forwardA double check is when two pieces give check at the same moment, usually through a discovered check.Back-Rank Matearrow_forwardA back-rank mate is a rook or queen giving check along the last rank while the king is boxed in by its own pawns.

FAQ

Can the king capture?add

Yes, one square away like any move, as long as the captured piece isn't defended (the king can't move into check).

Can the king move two squares?add

Only when castling, the special move with a rook. Otherwise it's always one square.

Can the king be captured?add

No. The game ends with checkmate, before the king could ever be taken.

How much is the king worth?add

It has no point value: losing it loses the game. As a fighting piece in the endgame it's worth roughly 3 to 4 points.